Daryl Mitchell follows R Ashwin's advice in PSL, steps away from crease vs Usman Tariq's long pause; watch viral video

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell pulled off in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 what former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had advised Indian batters to do against Pakistan’s unorthodox spinner Usman Tariq in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Tariq’s long pause has been a topic of debate. Some feel, it’s legitimate while others say that it is unfair on batters. Ashwin believes that the action is legal but had asked batters to move away from their stride to disrupt Tariq’s rhythm. On April 10, Mitchell did exactly that in the clash between Quetta Gladiators and Rawalpindiz at National Stadium, Karachi.

The incident took place in the ninth over of Rawalpindiz’s run chase. The first ball Kiwi batter faced from Tariq, he swept it for a single. He could not get the timing on the pre-meditated sweep shot. He got the strike on the fourth ball. As Tariq took the long pause, Mitchell pulled out of his batting stride. He did it again and the on-field umpires had a conversation with him. In the commentary box, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja wasn't pleased as he said: "Mitchell should do better".

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What Ashwin had said?

"There is one thing I want to see — who dares to do that? If Tariq pauses before delivery, the batter has the right to move away. The batter can say, 'I don't know when the ball is coming, so I moved away," Ashwin had said on his YouTube channel.

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Tariq finishes well, Mitchell falters in run chase

On the next ball, Mitchell played the ball towards cover. Following a dot ball, he played the ball towards long-on for a single. On the last ball of the over, Tariq was smashed for a six by Abdullah Fazal. However, Tariq had the last laugh against Fazal, dismissing him for a 19-ball 20 in the next over.

Mitchell could not get going as he ran out of partners. He departed for a 32-ball 30 in the 13th over, caught and bowled by Saud Shakeel. Tariq took the wicket of Mubasir Khan as well. He conceded 23 runs from his quota of four overs. Rawalpindiz failed to put up a fight in the run chase and were bowled out for 121 in 17.3 overs. Quetta Gladiators won the match by 61 runs. This was Rawalpindiz's fifth consecutive loss in the ongoing tournament.